Losses to Follow-up Presenta Risk to Study Validity

Daniel J. Stinner, MD; David J. Tennent, BS

In 1996, evidence-based medicine was described as the “conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence about the care of individual patients.” Today, the AAOS defines evidence-based medicine as “the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.” Both definitions rely on the results of research. To build an evidence base, researchers must perform studies that lead to valid conclusions based on the data collected.

Stem Cell Therapy in Orthopaedics

Lynne C. Jones, PhD; Stuart B. Goodman, MD

Cell therapies have been used in a variety of medical specialties to restore function and improve the quality of life. In some cases, cell therapies have been life saving. For example, several cancers of the hematopoietic and lymphatic system are treated with autologous and allogeneic cell therapy via bone marrow transplantation.

Will Uniform Information Organization for Arthroplasty Implant Labeling Become a Reality?

Kent Jason Lowry, MD; William M. Mihalko, MD, PhD

In “The impact of standardized implant labels” (AAOS Now, March 2009), members of the AAOS Biomedical Engineering (BME) Committee observed the wide variability across and within manufacturer’s labels on medical devices, specifically how critical information is organized on arthroplasty implant labels. This observation led the BME Committee to discuss engaging manufacturers in organizing critical information necessary for final implant selection in a uniform manner, similar in nature to the U.S.

Measuring Outcomes and Realities

Jay D. Lenn

Better patient care depends not only on objective clinical data, but also on outcome measurements based on patients’ perceptions of their well-being. In most cases, outcome assessments are derived from quality-of-life questionnaires completed by patients. Although these questionnaires can provide relevant information, they are not easily integrated into normal clinical or research activities. Paul M. Saluan, MD Paul M.

Award Winners Announced

The following winners of the Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award, Ann Doner Vaughan Award, and Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award will be recognized during the 2012 AAOS Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Young Investigator Award—Xudong Joshua Li, MD, PhD, of the University of Virginia, for his manuscript “GDF5 Modulation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration” Ann Doner Vaughan Award—Kurt P. Spindler, MD, with coauthors Richard D. Parker, MD; Jack T. Andrish, MD; Christopher C.